Three-wave and four-wave interactions in gravity wave turbulence

This study investigates three-wave and four-wave interactions in gravity wave turbulence through a laboratory experiment designed to probe the statistical properties of turbulent gravity waves. We establish an isotropic state of interacting gravity waves in a Coriolis facility, utilizing wedge wavemakers to generate waves at a frequency of 1 Hz. Surface elevation measurements, resolved in both time and space, are obtained through a stereoscopic technique. The Fourier analysis of our data reveals that the laboratory spectra are consistently steeper than both theoretical predictions and field observations reported in previous studies. We identify that surface dissipation significantly affects the scaling of the Fourier spectrum across various scales, highlighting the complexities in the behavior of gravity wave turbulence. This research provides new insights into the dynamics of wave interactions, essential for advancing our understanding of turbulent processes in fluid dynamics.